Captains Chronicles – October 2025
Well, that Ryder Cup didn’t end the way I thought it would! Going into the final day I thought it would be like watching the second half of the second test between the Boks and the All Blacks – where you’re up enough to stop being all nervous about the result and just enjoy it! (for those that don’t know me, I’m from SA). But oh no, they had to make it exciting to the end.
Isn’t it nice to have a few extra daylight hours now; allowing a bit of extra time for a few holes after work, or more time to hit balls on the range (if you’re that way inclined!).
Just a few bits and pieces to keep you informed this month.
Competitions
Good luck to the competitors in these “name on the board in the club house” events:
- 11th October – Club Champs Finals (36 holes matchplay)
Senior: Michael Trass vs Alex Smith (Playing Wed 8th due to clashes)
Intermediate: Phil Teague vs Kris Bower
Junior A: Dylan Stange vs Vaughan Coley
Junior B: Henry Morgan vs Kim Goodwin
- 4th October – Final of the Jones Fourball featuring Alex Smith & Karl Wilde vs Tony Johnson & Lewis Brown
It would be great if you could come out and support these guys as they fight these epic battles, they would greatly appreciate it.
I plan to send out a survey after these events to get your thoughts on format/how they’re run for next year.
Greenwood Cup
This section was written by Brett.
It is with great pleasure that we name the team for the first weekend of Greenwood Cup to be held at Waipukurau Golf Club on 11th and 12th of October. This is the first weekend of two, where we take on other clubs from around Hawkes Bay in a 10 man, individual match play format.
We have three juniors in the team this year which is very exciting and is a testament to the hard work they have put in over the past 12 months.
Good luck to the following players:
- Alex Smith
- Andy Sellar
- George Pogson
- George Bidwell
- Jared McGillicuddy
- Luke Jarvis
- Mike Trass (c)
- Mark Tasker
- Scott Bernie
- Stu Duff
Reserve: Nic Schnell
For those of you wanting to support the team, please feel free to head down to Waipuk and watch our guys take on Hawkes Bays best, they would greatly appreciate it.
Tuesday Men vs Tuesday Women
Just to reiterate that next Tuesday is the annual Tuesday Men vs Tuesday Women competition. It’s a 10:00am Shotgun Start. Just let the pro shop know if you’d like to enter. Its open to all so please join in.
Also, just a reminder that Tuesday men’s golf is open to all men, its generally tee off from 11 am, you just put your name down on the dot golf booking system and enter the comp in the pro shop. And they have a prize giving in the club house afterwards. If you want to know more contact and of these guys:
Our Course
Divots
The topic of divots comes up quite a bit. We have a course closure coming up where Ben and his team are going to have a good go and filling in divots as best they can. It’s also up to us to tend to our divots as we play. Please replace divots as best you can, then press them down. If you do that properly, the grass can take root again.
Walk Ons/Intruders
Another topic which comes up periodically is that of people coming on to our course and playing or practicing without paying or being a member. Our course is quite easy to get onto without paying. I’ve spoken to the Napier captain, and they have the same issue.
We’ve decided it would worth trialling groups of two going out in a golf cart and checking that people playing late in the day (especially now that we have daylight savings) are members, or if not, that they have paid. You’d go around in groups of two with a sheet with a QR code that people can scan with their phone and pay if they haven’t.
We’re hoping this will give us an understanding of how bad the problem is so that we can make changes if it is a significant issue. We’ve already got one volunteer so if you’re keen, please let me know so we can get this underway. An evening or two will be much appreciated.
Cup Protectors
You might have noticed the green keepers are using white “cup protectors” in the holes, with their main aim being to protect the integrity of the lip of the holes (and make them easier to see). So far, they are happy that they are doing what they are designed for but have noticed that they can be pulled too far up when players pull the flag out or retrieve their ball from the hole. This creates a situation where the raised lip has undesirable consequences. Please be mindful of this when removing the flag or your ball.
The green keepers are also keen to hear feedback, so come through me if you have any.
Members Practice Fairway
The practice range where you can hit your own balls will be given some attention shortly – overseeding like has been done to the right of the paid range when looking towards the road.
Initiatives
We’re looking at holding a medal event in each season of the year with gross and net prizes, and a shotgun start on a Saturday (so that we can have a big social afterwards).
If anyone would like sponsor one of these let me know – we can offer great exposure for your brand. We’re looking for one or two thousand dollars to bolster the prize pool and make an event of it. We need to get our Spring one underway soon!
We’re planning on holding a Hastings Golf Club Masters (over 40) event in the second half of next year.
Pace of Play
- On par threes like 8 and 16, when you exit the green, do so at the sides so that those waiting on the tee can tee off sooner.
- If your mate is putting and his bag is on the opposite side of the green to where you exit to the next tee, give him a hand and walk his bag around while you wait.
Please note that I have a new email address for correspondence, noted below.
Yours in golf,
Nicholas
menscc@hastingsgolfclub.co.nz
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